Wrapped bars, issue with bar plugs
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 752
Bikes: 2019 CAAD12, 2015 Specialized Sirrus Comp
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 559 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 63 Times
in
45 Posts
Wrapped bars, issue with bar plugs
Wrapped handlebars for the first time and it came out pretty nice. However, I didn't leave enough extra tape at the bar ends to insert the excess in the bar tube. I only have about 1/4 - 3/8" of tape at the ends of the bars.
Is there a technique for getting the plugs and tape into the inner bar? I am using Specialized S-wrap HD.
Is there a technique for getting the plugs and tape into the inner bar? I am using Specialized S-wrap HD.
#2
Asleep at the bars
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA and Treasure Island, FL
Posts: 1,743
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 234 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times
in
135 Posts
You could always try adding a little bit of electrical tape at the end. If this doesn't work you may have to bite the bullet and redo it. I usually tuck the bar ends and plug them as soon as I have a solid start.
Likes For sfrider:
Likes For noodle soup:
#4
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,461
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3638 Post(s)
Liked 5,317 Times
in
2,702 Posts
Tape is thicker than it used to be. I no longer try to tuck the end into the bar because it usually leaves a bulge. I wrap it flush with the bar end and enhance the plug as needed for a tight fit. JMO.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 752
Bikes: 2019 CAAD12, 2015 Specialized Sirrus Comp
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 559 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 63 Times
in
45 Posts
So you just cut the tape and leave a bare metal edge at the end of the tube, that's hopefully covered by the plug?
Likes For TheDudeIsHere:
#7
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,522
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,798 Times
in
1,798 Posts
One of my favorite bar wraps is Arundel Synth Gecko -- very comfortable but very thick. Plugs won't fit without chewing up the ends of the wrap, so it's easier to cut it flush, or use matching color electrical tape at the bar end, then inserting the plug.
Same problem if we double wrap -- the inner wrap needs to be cut flush with the handlebar ends, then the overwrap is held with the plugs.
Likes For canklecat:
#8
Senior Member
The metal edge shouldn't be a problem. The "cap" of a bar-end plug protrudes from the bar-end hole, and usually has a diameter similar to that of a road handlebar (23.8mm).
Likes For HTupolev:
Likes For Robert A:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,922
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,882 Times
in
998 Posts
It sounded like you had started at the stem area, and ran out of tape. Some people start at the stem, because it eliminates the need for finishing tape(but it leads to other problems).
Likes For Robert A:
#12
don't try this at home.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,918
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 964 Post(s)
Liked 496 Times
in
343 Posts
To keep tape from working loose at the plug
I use a narrow strip of Gorilla Tape. Other duct tape should work. It holds better than electrical tape for this.
Start at the bottom side of the bar end. The tape should overlap the bar for just half of it's width. Use the narrow piece of duct tape over the cut end of the bar tape to attach to the bar.
Now do a full wrap, keeping the same half of the tape past the bar end. Pull it quite tight.
Start spiraling up the bar after this full wrap, with a little less tension.
There's plenty of tape to push into the bar end. And I like the plugs that have a central screw to tighten them -- these are easier to insert or remove, and more secure.
I use a narrow strip of Gorilla Tape. Other duct tape should work. It holds better than electrical tape for this.
Start at the bottom side of the bar end. The tape should overlap the bar for just half of it's width. Use the narrow piece of duct tape over the cut end of the bar tape to attach to the bar.
Now do a full wrap, keeping the same half of the tape past the bar end. Pull it quite tight.
Start spiraling up the bar after this full wrap, with a little less tension.
There's plenty of tape to push into the bar end. And I like the plugs that have a central screw to tighten them -- these are easier to insert or remove, and more secure.
Last edited by rm -rf; 11-11-19 at 10:56 AM.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 781
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 479 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
156 Posts
Bar end plugs are NOT needed to secure the wrap/tape. Don't tuck anything into the bar. No need to use sticky (electrical/duct/packing) tape either. Just start at the bar end, wrap 360 degrees without any angle, then start the angle/turn up the bar. Only electrical tape needed is at the finish end - near the stem. Oh, and use 3M - it's so much nicer when it's time to rewrap later. Clear packing tape is great for holding the cables to the bar before wrapping.
Last tip... When wrapping the electrical tape at the finish end - first wrap is sorta tight, but the last few are NOT. If you pull/stretch the tape, it'll slide and give up over time... little time.
Last tip... When wrapping the electrical tape at the finish end - first wrap is sorta tight, but the last few are NOT. If you pull/stretch the tape, it'll slide and give up over time... little time.
Likes For Zaskar:
Likes For noodle soup:
#15
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,613
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times
in
997 Posts
I've seen some suggest a non-tucked flush cut solution, but first requiring a lay-down of double-sided tape at the bar end -- stopping the possibility of self-unwinding. I figure this is probably hard to get rid of on the next wrap job though.
#16
bike whisperer
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Melbourne, Oz
Posts: 9,533
Bikes: https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=152015&p=1404231
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1520 Post(s)
Liked 716 Times
in
508 Posts
Starting at the stem end is neater. It's no problem at all if you use tape that is made of a couple of layers; the outside layer usually stretches less than the foam, so when you pull it tight enough the edges bite in and won't curl.
__________________
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
Likes For Kimmo: